Pets also bear the brunt of air pollution. here's how you can save them from the consequences of the same.
When winter smog rolls in and the air starts to feel thick, most of us naturally slow down. We step out less. Our eyes burn. We pull out masks and keep checking AQI numbers like a daily ritual. But while we can choose to stay indoors, our pets don’t really get that choice. They still sit by the door, leash in mouth, tail wagging, waiting for a walk that might not be so harmless after all.
Bad air doesn’t stop with human lungs. It drifts into our homes, our parks, and straight into those tiny noses that spend all day sniffing close to the ground.
Pet nutritionist Anjali Kalachand points out that high pollution affects humans and their “best friends” in very real ways. On days when the air quality is at its worst, dogs often start showing signs. You might notice wheezing, coughing, or heavier breathing than usual. Watery eyes and runny noses are common too, especially when the air is full of dust and toxins.
And this isn’t just mild irritation. It’s the body struggling to deal with air that isn’t meant to be breathed.
Some dogs have a harder time than others. Kalachand explains that short-nosed breeds like pugs, bulldogs, and shih tzus already have narrow airways, which makes polluted air even tougher on them. Dogs with heart problems or a collapsed trachea face similar risks, because their breathing is already under strain.
Even the simple joy of a daily walk becomes complicated. Kalachand recommends heading out early in the morning or late in the evening, when the AQI is usually at its lowest. On really bad days, it’s better to keep walks short and skip energetic games like fetch. Heavy running means faster breathing, and that means more polluted air going straight into the lungs.
Inside the house matters too. Keeping windows shut helps keep some of the pollution out. An air purifier can make a big difference, especially for dogs that spend most of their time indoors.
There’s also one small habit that helps more than you’d think. Kalachand suggests wiping your dog down after every walk. Dust and toxins stick to fur and paws, and dogs often lick themselves clean. A quick wipe removes those particles before they end up inside their bodies.
What makes pollution so dangerous is that you can’t really see it. There’s no loud warning. No bright sign saying “stop.” It just builds up quietly, day after day.
Dogs can’t tell us their chest feels tight. They can’t complain about sore throats or headaches. They just slow down, breathe a little harder, and trust us to notice.
In cities where smog has become normal, looking after pets now means looking after the air too. Checking AQI before walks. Tweaking routines. Watching closely.
Because in the end, dirty air doesn’t care if you walk on two legs or four.
And when the air turns harsh, protecting our pets isn’t just love. It’s something we owe them.
Inputs by Pet Nutritionist Anjali Kalachand